Access Center Communication Specialist - Paramedic/EMT

Access Center Communication Specialist - Paramedic/EMT

Department: Access Center Communication Specialist

Location: Hosp-Dal-C

Shift: 3x12 Night Shift

Job Type: On-Site

Why Children's Health?

At Children's Health, our mission is to Make Life Better for Children, and we recognize that their health plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. Through our cutting-edge treatments and affiliation with UT Southwestern, we strive to deliver an extraordinary patient and family experience, ensuring that every moment, big or small, contributes to their overall well-being. Our dedication to promoting children's health extends beyond our organization and encompasses the broader community. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of children and contribute to a brighter and healthier future for all.

Summary: The Communication Specialist (CS) is responsible for coordinating the communication among a multi-disciplinary team to ensure timely and safe coordination of patient transfers into as well as transfers out of Children's Health System of Texas (CHST). The CS also facilitates communication to multiple physicians within and outside of the healthcare system in regard to patient transfer or consultation. The CS is responsible for system level coordination of bed management to ensure patients are transferred or admitted to the location within the system with the right resources needed for the patient. The CS provides excellent customer service to referral centers while building an ongoing relationship with outside hospitals locally, regionally, and across/outside the state. The Communication Specialist maintains ongoing records of the transfers in the electronic health record and documents the required patient information into the appropriate systems.

Responsibilities:

• Works with a multi-disciplinary team of CHST and referral healthcare organizations to ensure effective communication during the patient transfer process. Responds to requests for transfers and transports, collecting pertinent demographic data, determining and contacting appropriate accepting physicians, coordinating CHST transport services with the Dispatcher, and ensuring closed loop communication with referrals. Works in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment. Utilizes strong communication skills and knowledge of both administrative and medical escalation processes. Interacts with multiple disciplines to facilitate patient transfer and consultation requests from the referral community.
• Serves as a Bed Planner for system level bed management and utilizes protocols to determine the appropriate location within the system to meet the patients' needs and coordinates medical acceptance of patients through direct physician communication.
• Collaborates with the Access Center Bed Assignment Coordinator and Bed Manager to coordinate and assign appropriate beds to patients within the system and transferring from the community.
• Utilizes a foundation of medical knowledge to ensure the appropriate physician is contacted for acceptance or consultation and ongoing recommendations for patient management prior to arrival at Children's Health. Works with a diverse team across the System in regard to capacity management and coordination of ensuring timely acceptance and transfer into the healthcare system.
• May train and educate new communication specialists. Provides support and participates in both the Access Center and Transport quality improvement programs. Provides ongoing assistance with conflict resolution/problem solving within the Access Center. Actively participates in hospital-wide committees or task groups, as needed. Also provides a strong support to management in the interviewing and evaluation process of potential new staff members.

Work Experience:

• At least 1 year job related experience Pref
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; additional training beyond high school Req
• Completion of a paramedic or EMT program with licensure or certification Req

Licenses and Certifications:

• Texas LP, Texas EMT-P, or Texas EMT Upon Hire Req
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers as required by CP 1.20 Life Support Course Requirements Upon Hire Req

A Place Where You Belong

We put our people first. We welcome, value, and respect the beliefs, identities and experiences of our patients and colleagues. We are committed to delivering culturally effective care, creating meaningful partnerships in the communities we serve, and equipping and developing our team members to make Children's Health a place where everyone can contribute.

Holistic Benefits How We'll Care for You:

• Employee portion of medical plan premiums are covered after 3 years.
• 4%-10% employee savings plan match based on tenure
• Paid Parental Leave (up to 12 weeks)
• Caregiver Leave
• Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement

As an equal opportunity employer, Children's Health does not discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran or military status, disability, or genetic information or any other Federal or State legally-protected status or class. This applies to all aspects of the employer-employee relationship including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer pay, training, discipline, workforce adjustments, termination, employee benefits, and any other employment-related activity.

Children's Health System of Texas